MEDIA STATEMENT BY THE ACTING NATIONAL COMMISSIONER OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE, LT GENERAL NHLANHLA MKHWANAZI ON COMPETENCY SAPS MEMBERS IN TERMS OF THE FIREARMS CONTROL ACT (ACT 60 OF 2000) HELD AT THE TSHWANE SAPS ACADEMY ON THURSDAY, April 26 2012

Deputy National Commissioners;
Divisional Commissioners;
Senior Officers present; and 
Members of the media. 

Good morning to you all.

I appreciate the fact that you have heeded the call to attend this press conference on this day which precedes the Freedom Day.  I address this event amid disturbing reports and serious allegations that have dominated the media in relation to what has been dubbed police disarmament. The SAPS management views the recent reports in a very serious light. Such reports have a potential to cause panic and havoc not only within the police ranks but also in the communities we live in and serve.

We have noted with concern the growing incorrect reporting relating to the SAPS, hence this media conference. Today as management we will address issues that talk to our core business of fighting crime. First and foremost one needs to explain the background that informs certain management decisions. We have had fruitful deliberations and engagements with the top management of the organization in our structured meetings of National Management Forum. Amongst others we discussed the issue on the competency of the SAPS members in terms of the Firearms Act.

SAPS remains a developmental organization and therefore issues of service delivery are a priority in the fight against crime which is why as management we take informed decisions in the interest of service delivery. However the implementation of such decisions cannot be haphazard, it needs to be managed with a proper plan and implementation guidelines.

On behalf of the management I need to formally say and partly attribute the cause of the state of alarm to the internal Audit Report that found its way to the press. Such a document was meant to assist the management of the police to gauge the extent of training given to members under the command. Furthermore to ascertain compliance with the prescripts of the law, in this regard the firearms legislation. 

It is against this background that I have issued an instruction to all divisional and provincial commissioners to halt the process of withdrawal of firearms immediately and those already taken be reversed. The status quo will prevail until a proper plan and guideline implementation is communicated to all Provinces and Divisions.

Section 98 of the Firearms Control Act (Act 60 of 2000), places an obligation on the police to observe and be competent in the handling of firearm(s). As the police we cannot be seen to be flouting the very law that we have been charged to enforce. It is therefore through the process of competency that we seek to have properly assessed members that are entrusted with the handling and use of firearms.

In so far as our status of training, in respect of firearm proficiency, here are the facts and progress made to date:

• In terms of the Training Administration System (TAS) 129 713 members have undergone firearm proficiency training.
• Out of this number 102 313 were declared competent.
• This then means 27 400 members are not yet competent. However, out of this 27 400, 20 864 did not fail but have just not completed their training. They would have either completed legal principles only or use of firearms only. One need both to be declared fully competent.
• Out of the 27 400, it is 6 536 members that have been declared not yet competent (failed). This is the group that still needs to do remedial training and be re-assessed as a form of intervention.
• The unit standard requires members to be competent in three firearms, handgun, shotgun and assault rifle. Within those members that were declared not yet competent (6 536), some of them are competent in one but not all firearms.
• After members have been declared competent another process of verification has to follow.

It is only after verification that a certificate can be issued.

After members have been found competent on training, they must be declared fit in accordance with Section 9(2) (d) to (p) of the Firearms Control Act (Act 60 of 2000).

After they comply with the competency and the fitness, a permit may be issued to the member.

Members have to maintain their competency with annual maintenance shooting sessions.

I need to recognise organized labour for the active stance they have shown on behalf of SAPS members who subscribe to SAPU and POPCRU respectively. You have kept us on our toes. Your interests are shared by the management who in-turn has a responsibility to ascertain that the laws are not contravened.

To you members of the media, who play a watchdog role over our performance, it is my plea that the facts that I have shared will now correctly be relayed to the public. It is through you that the misgivings pertaining to safety will be restored within the public.

In closing, I would like to again take this opportunity and make a call to the community and members of the media, to support our men and women in blue, to recognize the sacrifice and selflessness that comes with being a police officer. We need to condemn police when they do wrong and equally commend them when they serve and protect.

I THANK YOU!

Statement issued by the SAPS, April 26 2012

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